In a major victory for animal advocates, the USDA announced last year that it
would stop purchasing meat from downed cattle--non-ambulatory cows who are too sick or
injured to even stand--for use in federal programs. "This development shows a growing
consensus--even among livestock industry and government officials--that the marketing and
slaughter of downed animals is unacceptable," says Gene Bauston, the founder and
director of Farm Sanctuary. The NY- and CA-based farm-animal protection organization is
stepping up efforts to ban the slaughter of downed animals entirely--for the good of
animals and for the good of humans. It is impossible to move downed cattle humanely;
instead, they are typically pushed with tractors or dragged with chains, causing injuries
ranging from bruises and abrasions to broken bones and ligaments. And recent evidence
shows that some downed animals may be afflicted with a form of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (mad cow disease), a condition that is linked to a fatal illness in humans.

"Our chances of stopping the downed animal trade are better now than
ever," says Bauston.